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Nature|Mountains

The View From This Little-Known Overlook In Alabama Is Almost Too Beautiful For Words

Little River Canyon National Preserve in Alabama offers stunning natural features and overlooks, including the breathtaking Wolf Creek Overlook.

Published Mar 7, 2022

Written by 

Jennifer Young

Alabama is home to a variety of places that are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, including Little River Canyon National Preserve. While exploring this preserve, you'll discover some of the state's most unique natural features, in addition to some of its best overlooks. For information about Little River Canyon National Preserve and one of its best overlooks, take a look below.

Little River Canyon National Preserve, which covers more than 15,000 acres, is located atop of Lookout Mountain in Fort Payne, Alabama. It's one of the Yellowhammer State's most beautiful outdoor spots and welcomes numerous visitors year-round.

Sign for Little River Canyon National Preserve, surrounded by trees, indicating it's part of the U.S. National Park Service.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

The preserve's main feature is Little River Canyon, which is known as the "Grand Canyon of the East." Another feature is Alabama's Little River, which happens to be one of America's longest mountaintop rivers.

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A lush green valley with a winding river, surrounded by hills under a partly cloudy sky.
google/Tony Craig

Little River Canyon National Preserve is also home to Little River Falls. This beautiful waterfall is one of the Southeast's most visited natural attractions.

A scenic view of a waterfall cascading into a turquoise pool, with a bridge in the background and trees lining the area.
flickr/David Brossard

There are several overlooks located throughout the preserve where you'll experience the most spectacular views. One of these is the Wolf Creek Overlook.

Sign for Wolf Creek Overlook featuring picnic and camera icons, surrounded by trees and a gravel road.
google/jay mickley

The Wolf Creek Overlook, like most other Alabama overlooks, has a pull-off spot where you can park and walk to enjoy the view.

A stone and wooden railing overlooks a lush green valley under a clear blue sky.
google/Gary Heaton

Be sure to bring along a snack or lunch whenever visiting this overlook. You can sit at the picnic table and enjoy the view and surrounding scenery.

A picnic table sits in a grassy area near a rocky cliff, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.
google/jay mickley

The next time you visit Alabama's Little River Canyon National Preserve, be sure to check out the view from its Wolf Creek Overlook. It's truly breathtaking!

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A scenic view of a rocky cliff surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky.
google/Thomson M

To learn more about Alabama's Little River Canyon National Preserve, be sure to take a look at the National Park Service website.

Have you ever experienced the view from Little River Canyon's Wolf Creek Overlook? If so, what did you think about it? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Another place in Alabama where you'll experience a spectacular view is Mount Cheaha. For information, be sure to take a look at the following article: This Is The Highest Point In Alabama And The Views Are Positively Breathtaking.

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Nature|Mountains

Climb 111 Steps To The Top Of The Smith Mountain Fire Tower In Alabama And You Can See Across Beautiful Lake Martin

Smith Mountain Fire Tower in Alabama offers breathtaking views of Lake Martin after a short hike and climb.

Published Jan 5, 2023

Written by 

Jennifer Young

There are many places in Alabama that offer an incredible view. While some of these places are easy to access, others require quite a climb. One of these places that you'll have to climb in order to enjoy the view is the historic Smith Mountain Fire Tower. To learn all about the Smith Mountain Fire Tower in Alabama, including what it takes to reach the top, take a look below.

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Alabama's Smith Mountain Fire Tower is located in Jackson's Gap and is accessible via the Walker Bynum Smith Mountain Tower Trail, which is simply known as the “Smith Mountain Fire Tower Trail.”

Wooden sign marking the entrance to the "Walnut County Smith Mountain Trail," surrounded by trees and greenery.
google/luke lewis

The

Smith Mountain Fire Tower Trail is an easy, 0.7-mile loop trail that's enjoyed by hikers all year long.

A person walks along a trail in a wooded area with bare trees and fallen leaves.
google/Brian Jones

Since opening to the public in 2012, this fire tower has welcomed hikers of all ages from across the state of Alabama and beyond.

A tall metal observation tower surrounded by pine trees under a partly cloudy sky.
google/Justin Osborne

The Smith Mountain Fire Tower, which was originally built in 1939 by Alabama Power Company, is approximately 90 feet tall. In fact, you'll have to climb 111 steps to reach the top of it.

A spiral staircase viewed from below, featuring metal and wooden steps with a clear sky above.
google/Nina Hollingsworth

While atop of this historic fire tower, you'll get to experience beautiful views of Lake Martin. Interestingly, Lake Martin is one of the United States' largest man-made lakes.

View from a lookout tower overlooking a lake surrounded by lush greenery and distant hills under a clear blue sky.
google/Gabriel R.Laurin

And finally, the moment you experience these breathtaking views of Lake Martin, it won't take long before realizing the climb to the top of the fire tower was more than worth it.

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A scenic view of lush green islands and lakes under a partly cloudy sky.
google/Ethan Gregory

Have you ever climbed the Smith Mountain Fire Tower in Alabama? If so, what did you think of the view? Was it well worth the climb? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

For more information about Lake Martin, be sure to take a look at the following article: Alabama’s Lake Martin Is One Of The South’s Greatest Lakes And It’s Easy To See Why.

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Nature|Mountains

These 8 Epic Mountains In Alabama Will Totally Drop Your Jaw

Alabama offers numerous picturesque mountains with incredible views and recreational opportunities.

Updated Oct 2, 2022

Written by 

Jennifer Young

No matter what part of the state you're in, there are many picturesque mountains in Alabama. Sure, some are a great deal higher than others, but each of them offer incredible views. Some of these mountains also offer great recreational opportunities. It's no wonder that people keep coming back to them time and time again! Here are eight of our favorite mountains in Alabama that are definitely worth checking out next time you're looking for an adventure:

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1. Cheaha Mountain - Delta

Lush green mountains stretch into the distance under a cloudy sky, creating a serene, misty landscape.
wikimedia commons

With an elevation of 2,411 feet above sea level, Cheaha Mountain is the highest natural point in the Cotton State. You'll find the mountain at the state park that shares its name, and it's no wonder this is one of the most-visited state parks in Alabama. The trail here will give you some of the most incredible views in the entire state.

2. Lookout Mountain - DeKalb County

A couple sits on a rocky ledge, overlooking a lush valley and river at sunset, surrounded by colorful autumn foliage.
Lookout Mountain Alabama/Facebook

Lookout Mountain spans three states: Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. This is an amazing spot that features beautiful waterfalls, lovely canyons, unique villages, and so much more. No matter the season, it's the perfect place to enjoy the natural beauty of Alabama. This mountain just might be the most beautiful place in Alabama.

3. Monte Sano Mountain - Huntsville

Lush green hills under a cloudy sky, with layers of mountains fading into the distance.
flickr/emdoylethemick

Monte Sano Mountain is located in Madison County. It's a horseshoe-shaped mountain with an elevation of 1,621 feet. The name "Monte Sano" means "mount of health" in Italian. The state park that's named for it is a great Alabama day trip that will make you feel miles away from your troubles.

4. McDill Point - Oxford

A panoramic view of rolling green hills under a clear sky, with a tree branch in the foreground.
flickr/Thomas Wolff

McDill Point has an elevation of 2,188 feet. It's the ninth-highest mountain in Alabama. One thing that is unique about this mountain is a trail to a plane wreck from 1972.

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5. Red Mountain - Birmingham

A panoramic view of a colorful autumn forest with a city skyline in the distance under a clear blue sky.
facebook/Red Mountain Park

Red Mountain is part of the Ridge-and-Valley region of the Appalachian Mountains. It's also home to Red Mountain Park, an adventure park with plenty to entertain you, from hiking to biking and zip-lining.

6. Talladega Mountains

Lush green mountains under a blue sky with fluffy clouds, showcasing a serene natural landscape.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

The Talladega Mountains contain the state's highest peaks. The range runs through parts of Cherokee, Calhoun, Cleburne, Talladega, and Clay Counties. The Talladega Mountains also contains the longest hiking path in Alabama: perfect for an afternoon adventure!

7. Bald Rock Mountain - St. Clair County

A panoramic view of a lush green landscape under a cloudy sky, with distant mountains fading into the horizon.
wikimedia commons

Bald Rock Mountain has an elevation of 1,558 feet. It offers excellent hiking opportunities. The overlook here offers some of the best views in Alabama. It's accessible year-round and is beautiful in any season.

8. Shades Mountain - Hoover

Lush green hills under a clear blue sky, with trees and foliage in the foreground.
Friends of Shades Mountain

Shades Mountain includes all of Birmingham's Bluff Park neighborhood, in addition to portions of Vestavia Hills, Homewood, and Mountain Brook. This is such a beautiful place!

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Have you ever visited any of these amazing mountains in Alabama? Have any other favorites that you think belong on the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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